Policy

Victorian Aboriginal economic development

Why is Aboriginal economic development important?

Aboriginal economic participation and development is a vital foundation for Aboriginal self-determination

Aboriginal economic development is also vital to growing Victoria's wealth generally and to increasing overall economic productivity and competitive advantage.

The Victorian Aboriginal Economic Board

The Victorian Aboriginal Economic Board was established in June 2016 to drive business development and employment opportunities for Aboriginal Victorians.

In the spirit of self-determination, the Board brings together Aboriginal community, the corporate sector and government to champion Aboriginal economic development in Victoria. It focuses on delivering the Victorian Aboriginal Economic Strategy 2013-2020 through procurement, business development, employment and place-based initiatives.

Victorian Government Aboriginal Economic Strategies

Victorian Aboriginal Economic Strategy 2013-2020

In the 2015/16 Victorian Budget, $4.5 million was provided to implement the Victorian Aboriginal Economic Strategy 2013-2020, which included the establishment of the Victorian Aboriginal Economic Board and implementation of landmark projects and industry agreements.

Aboriginal employment in the public sector

Barring Djinang is the Victorian Government’s 5 year Aboriginal Employment Strategy for the Victorian public sector. It includes 16 initiatives designed to enhance attraction, recruitment and retention of Aboriginal staff.

Barring Djinang initiatives help public sector agencies support and improve career experiences for Aboriginal employees, placing a strong focus on career development.

Barring Djinang is from the Taungurung language and means ‘path of the feet’. It was chosen as a reminder of the many different career paths that the Victorian public sector can provide to Aboriginal people. The Victorian Public Sector Commission’s Aboriginal Employment Unit drives the roll out of initiatives across the public sector.

One per cent Aboriginal government procurement target

In March 2016, the Victorian Government committed to a one per cent government procurement target from Aboriginal businesses, to apply from 2019-2020, with a view to build a more ambitious target in the future.

The target is an initiative of the Tharamba Bugheen Victorian Aboriginal Business Strategy 2017-2020, with one per cent of government procurement from small to medium enterprises to be from Victorian Aboriginal businesses.